Photos: Arizona Diamondbacks vs. Seattle Mariners

Arizona Diamondbacks starting pitcher Zack Greinke (21) throws against the Seattle Mariners during the third inning at Chase Field in Phoenix, Ariz. August 26. 2018. Michael Chow/The Republic

Photos: Arizona Diamondbacks vs. Seattle Mariners

Arizona Diamondbacks starting pitcher Zack Greinke (21) throws against the Seattle Mariners during the third inning at Chase Field in Phoenix, Ariz. August 26. 2018.
Michael Chow/The Republic

Arizona Diamondbacks first baseman Paul Goldschmidt (right) celebrates his three-run home run against the Seattle Mariners with right fielder David Peralta (6) during the third inning at Chase Field in Phoenix, Ariz. August 26. 2018. Michael Chow/The Republic

Photos: Arizona Diamondbacks vs. Seattle Mariners

Arizona Diamondbacks first baseman Paul Goldschmidt (right) celebrates his three-run home run against the Seattle Mariners with right fielder David Peralta (6) during the third inning at Chase Field in Phoenix, Ariz. August 26. 2018.
Michael Chow/The Republic

Arizona Diamondbacks first baseman Paul Goldschmidt (44) rounds the bases after hitting a three-run home run against Seattle Mariners starting pitcher Mike Leake (8) during the third inning at Chase Field in Phoenix, Ariz. August 26. 2018. Michael Chow/The Republic

Photos: Arizona Diamondbacks vs. Seattle Mariners

Arizona Diamondbacks first baseman Paul Goldschmidt (44) rounds the bases after hitting a three-run home run against Seattle Mariners starting pitcher Mike Leake (8) during the third inning at Chase Field in Phoenix, Ariz. August 26. 2018.
Michael Chow/The Republic

Seattle Mariners shortstop Jean Segura (right) has a ground ball hit by Arizona Diamondbacks' David Peralta roll past him and second baseman Dee Gordon (left) during the third inning at Chase Field in Phoenix, Ariz. August 26. 2018. Michael Chow/The Republic

Photos: Arizona Diamondbacks vs. Seattle Mariners

Seattle Mariners shortstop Jean Segura (right) has a ground ball hit by Arizona Diamondbacks' David Peralta roll past him and second baseman Dee Gordon (left) during the third inning at Chase Field in Phoenix, Ariz. August 26. 2018.
Michael Chow/The Republic

Seattle Mariners starting pitcher Mike Leake (8) throws against the Arizona Diamondbacks during the third inning at Chase Field in Phoenix, Ariz. August 26. 2018. Michael Chow/The Republic

Photos: Arizona Diamondbacks vs. Seattle Mariners

Seattle Mariners starting pitcher Mike Leake (8) throws against the Arizona Diamondbacks during the third inning at Chase Field in Phoenix, Ariz. August 26. 2018.
Michael Chow/The Republic

Arizona Diamondbacks players watch a video tribute to Sen. John McCain before playing against the Seattle Mariners at Chase Field in Phoenix, Ariz. August 26. 2018. The six-term Arizona senator died Saturday at age 81. Michael Chow/The Republic

Photos: Arizona Diamondbacks vs. Seattle Mariners

Arizona Diamondbacks players watch a video tribute to Sen. John McCain before playing against the Seattle Mariners at Chase Field in Phoenix, Ariz. August 26. 2018. The six-term Arizona senator died Saturday at age 81.
Michael Chow/The Republic

Arizona Diamondbacks players watch a video tribute to Sen. John McCain before playing against the Seattle Mariners at Chase Field in Phoenix, Ariz. August 26. 2018. The six-term Arizona senator died Saturday at age 81. Michael Chow/The Republic

Photos: Arizona Diamondbacks vs. Seattle Mariners

Arizona Diamondbacks players watch a video tribute to Sen. John McCain before playing against the Seattle Mariners at Chase Field in Phoenix, Ariz. August 26. 2018. The six-term Arizona senator died Saturday at age 81.
Michael Chow/The Republic

Arizona Diamondbacks players watch a video tribute to Sen. John McCain before playing against the Seattle Mariners at Chase Field in Phoenix, Ariz. August 26. 2018. The six-term Arizona senator died Saturday at age 81. Michael Chow/The Republic

Photos: Arizona Diamondbacks vs. Seattle Mariners

Arizona Diamondbacks players watch a video tribute to Sen. John McCain before playing against the Seattle Mariners at Chase Field in Phoenix, Ariz. August 26. 2018. The six-term Arizona senator died Saturday at age 81.
Michael Chow/The Republic

Arizona Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo (left0 and right fielder David Peralta slap hands in front of a jersey hanging in the dugout for Sen. John McCain before the playing against the Seattle Mariners at Chase Field in Phoenix, Ariz. August 26. 2018. The six-term Arizona senator died Saturday at age 81. Michael Chow/The Republic

Photos: Arizona Diamondbacks vs. Seattle Mariners

Arizona Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo (left0 and right fielder David Peralta slap hands in front of a jersey hanging in the dugout for Sen. John McCain before the playing against the Seattle Mariners at Chase Field in Phoenix, Ariz. August 26. 2018. The six-term Arizona senator died Saturday at age 81.
Michael Chow/The Republic

Arizona Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo (17) stands in the dugout next to a jersey for Sen. John McCain before playing against the Seattle Mariners at Chase Field in Phoenix, Ariz. August 26. 2018. The six-term Arizona senator died Saturday at age 81. Michael Chow/The Republic

Photos: Arizona Diamondbacks vs. Seattle Mariners

Arizona Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo (17) stands in the dugout next to a jersey for Sen. John McCain before playing against the Seattle Mariners at Chase Field in Phoenix, Ariz. August 26. 2018. The six-term Arizona senator died Saturday at age 81.
Michael Chow/The Republic

A jersey for Sen. John McCain hangs in the dugout before the Arizona Diamondbacks play against the Seattle Mariners at Chase Field in Phoenix, Ariz. August 26. 2018. The six-term Arizona senator died Saturday at age 81. Michael Chow/The Republic

Photos: Arizona Diamondbacks vs. Seattle Mariners

A jersey for Sen. John McCain hangs in the dugout before the Arizona Diamondbacks play against the Seattle Mariners at Chase Field in Phoenix, Ariz. August 26. 2018. The six-term Arizona senator died Saturday at age 81.
Michael Chow/The Republic

Arizona Diamondbacks right fielder David Peralta looks at a jersey hanging in the dugout for Sen. John McCain before playing against the Seattle Mariners at Chase Field in Phoenix, Ariz. August 26. 2018. The six-term Arizona senator died Saturday at age 81. Michael Chow/The Republic

Photos: Arizona Diamondbacks vs. Seattle Mariners

Arizona Diamondbacks right fielder David Peralta looks at a jersey hanging in the dugout for Sen. John McCain before playing against the Seattle Mariners at Chase Field in Phoenix, Ariz. August 26. 2018. The six-term Arizona senator died Saturday at age 81.
Michael Chow/The Republic

A jersey for Sen. John McCain hangs in the dugout before the Arizona Diamondbacks play against the Seattle Mariners at Chase Field in Phoenix, Ariz. August 26. 2018. The six-term Arizona senator died Saturday at age 81. Michael Chow/The Republic

Photos: Arizona Diamondbacks vs. Seattle Mariners

A jersey for Sen. John McCain hangs in the dugout before the Arizona Diamondbacks play against the Seattle Mariners at Chase Field in Phoenix, Ariz. August 26. 2018. The six-term Arizona senator died Saturday at age 81.
Michael Chow/The Republic

A jersey for Sen. John McCain hangs in the dugout before the Arizona Diamondbacks play against the Seattle Mariners at Chase Field in Phoenix, Ariz. August 26. 2018. The six-term Arizona senator died Saturday at age 81. Michael Chow/The Republic

Photos: Arizona Diamondbacks vs. Seattle Mariners

A jersey for Sen. John McCain hangs in the dugout before the Arizona Diamondbacks play against the Seattle Mariners at Chase Field in Phoenix, Ariz. August 26. 2018. The six-term Arizona senator died Saturday at age 81.
Michael Chow/The Republic

Aug 25, 2018; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Tribute is paid to former United States Senator John McCain during the fifth inning of the game between the Arizona Diamondbacks and the Seattle Mariners at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports Joe Camporeale, Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports

Photos: Arizona Diamondbacks vs. Seattle Mariners

Aug 25, 2018; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Tribute is paid to former United States Senator John McCain during the fifth inning of the game between the Arizona Diamondbacks and the Seattle Mariners at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports
Joe Camporeale, Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports

Arizona Diamondbacks third baseman Eduardo Escobar (14) in the first inning during a baseball game against the Seattle Mariners, Friday, Aug. 24, 2018, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri) Rick Scuteri/AP

Photos: Arizona Diamondbacks vs. Seattle Mariners

Arizona Diamondbacks third baseman Eduardo Escobar (14) in the first inning during a baseball game against the Seattle Mariners, Friday, Aug. 24, 2018, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
Rick Scuteri/AP

Arizona Diamondbacks' Nick Ahmed, right, scores on a sacrifice fly by A.J. Pollock during the fifth inning during a baseball game against the Seattle Mariners, Friday, Aug. 24, 2018, in Phoenix. Rick Scuteri/AP

Photos: Arizona Diamondbacks vs. Seattle Mariners

Arizona Diamondbacks' Nick Ahmed, right, scores on a sacrifice fly by A.J. Pollock during the fifth inning during a baseball game against the Seattle Mariners, Friday, Aug. 24, 2018, in Phoenix.
Rick Scuteri/AP

Arizona Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo (17) in the first inning during a baseball game against the Seattle Mariners, Friday, Aug. 24, 2018, in Phoenix. Rick Scuteri/AP

Photos: Arizona Diamondbacks vs. Seattle Mariners

Arizona Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo (17) in the first inning during a baseball game against the Seattle Mariners, Friday, Aug. 24, 2018, in Phoenix.
Rick Scuteri/AP

Arizona Diamondbacks shortstop Ketel Marte (4) in the first inning during a baseball game against the Seattle Mariners, Friday, Aug. 24, 2018, in Phoenix. Rick Scuteri/AP

Photos: Arizona Diamondbacks vs. Seattle Mariners

Arizona Diamondbacks shortstop Ketel Marte (4) in the first inning during a baseball game against the Seattle Mariners, Friday, Aug. 24, 2018, in Phoenix.
Rick Scuteri/AP

Seattle Mariners' Jean Segura scores in the third inning on a sacrifice fly by Kyle Seager during a baseball game against the Arizona Diamondbacks, Friday, Aug. 24, 2018, in Phoenix. Rick Scuteri/AP

Photos: Arizona Diamondbacks vs. Seattle Mariners

Seattle Mariners' Jean Segura scores in the third inning on a sacrifice fly by Kyle Seager during a baseball game against the Arizona Diamondbacks, Friday, Aug. 24, 2018, in Phoenix.
Rick Scuteri/AP

Seattle Mariners Dee Gordon celebrates after scoring on a throwing error by Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Zack Godley after Gordon stole third base during the third inning of a baseball game Friday, Aug. 24, 2018, in Phoenix. Rick Scuteri/AP

Photos: Arizona Diamondbacks vs. Seattle Mariners

Seattle Mariners Dee Gordon celebrates after scoring on a throwing error by Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Zack Godley after Gordon stole third base during the third inning of a baseball game Friday, Aug. 24, 2018, in Phoenix.
Rick Scuteri/AP

Seattle Mariners Dee Gordon celebrates after scoring on a throwing error by Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Zack Godley after stealing thirdbase in the third inning during a baseball game, Friday, Aug. 24, 2018, in Phoenix. Rick Scuteri/AP

Photos: Arizona Diamondbacks vs. Seattle Mariners

Seattle Mariners Dee Gordon celebrates after scoring on a throwing error by Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Zack Godley after stealing thirdbase in the third inning during a baseball game, Friday, Aug. 24, 2018, in Phoenix.
Rick Scuteri/AP

Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Zack Godley throws in the first inning during a baseball game against the Seattle Mariners, Friday, Aug. 24, 2018, in Phoenix. Rick Scuteri/AP

Photos: Arizona Diamondbacks vs. Seattle Mariners

Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Zack Godley throws in the first inning during a baseball game against the Seattle Mariners, Friday, Aug. 24, 2018, in Phoenix.
Rick Scuteri/AP

Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Zack Godley throws during the first inning of the team's baseball game against the Seattle Mariners, Friday, Aug. 24, 2018, in Phoenix. Rick Scuteri/AP

Photos: Arizona Diamondbacks vs. Seattle Mariners

Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Zack Godley throws during the first inning of the team's baseball game against the Seattle Mariners, Friday, Aug. 24, 2018, in Phoenix.
Rick Scuteri/AP

Seattle Mariners pitcher Erasmo Ramirez throws during the first inning of the team's baseball game against the Arizona Diamondbacks, Friday, Aug. 24, 2018, in Phoenix. Rick Scuteri/AP

Photos: Arizona Diamondbacks vs. Seattle Mariners

Seattle Mariners pitcher Erasmo Ramirez throws during the first inning of the team's baseball game against the Arizona Diamondbacks, Friday, Aug. 24, 2018, in Phoenix.
Rick Scuteri/AP

Seattle Mariners second baseman Dee Gordon makes the catch on a ball hit by Arizona Diamondbacks' Eduardo Escobar in the first inning during a baseball game Friday, Aug. 24, 2018, in Phoenix. Rick Scuteri/AP

Photos: Arizona Diamondbacks vs. Seattle Mariners

Seattle Mariners second baseman Dee Gordon makes the catch on a ball hit by Arizona Diamondbacks' Eduardo Escobar in the first inning during a baseball game Friday, Aug. 24, 2018, in Phoenix.
Rick Scuteri/AP

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Photos: Arizona Diamondbacks vs. Seattle Mariners

Arizona Diamondbacks center fielder A.J. Pollock (11) plays the ball off the wall hit by Seattle Mariners right fielder Mitch Haniger during the fifth inning at Chase Field in Phoenix, Ariz. August 26. 2018.

If playing at Chase Field for the first time since the Diamondbacks traded him was significant to Mariners left fielder Mitch Haniger, he didn't let on.

"I’m just trying to be who I am and play the game like I always do," Haniger said Saturday.

Batting leadoff, Haniger went 3 for 5, including a solo home run off Zack Godley in the fifth, on Friday in his return to Arizona, a 6-3 Mariners win. He also homered off Robbie Ray in the first inning of Saturday's game.

"It was fun," he said. "Anytime you have a good game it’s good, especially against a team that you used to play for, it’s always fun. Especially in the midst of the playoff run we’re trying to make, every game is really important, so for the rest of the season just going out there and playing."

"The timing of it was shocking to me. It was the night before Thanksgiving – that night, I wasn't thinking about baseball, really. I wasn't expecting to be traded," Haniger said. "My wife and I were closing on a house in Arizona, so it was a whirlwind."

Though Torey Lovullo took over as Diamondbacks manager in early November 2016, he never got to know Haniger. Still, he had heard high praise from Haniger's teammates, ahead of watching him in person.

"He played (Friday) like he was validating every comment that his former teammates were making about him," Lovullo said. "Great approach, a hunger for the game, high baseball I.Q., and he’s right in the middle of a lot of traffic.

"And I’m sure it felt good to him. I don’t know him, but I imagine coming back into this house and performing the way that he did was a good night for him and felt very well."

Haniger has looked good outside of his return to Chase Field, perhaps to the chagrin of Diamondbacks fans. He's batting .280 and received his first All-Star nod this year. He's improved at the plate since the trade, but part of that went into motion while he was still in Arizona.

"Some of the stuff they were saying, it was like a lightbulb was going off in my head," he said. "I leaned over, and I was like, 'Hey guys, I don't mean to interrupt you, but what are you talking about?' I started asking some more questions."

At Pollock's recommendation, Haniger started looking into the work of hitting guru Bobby Tewksbary. He downloaded an eBook that night. He found the lessons to be transformative.

"I got lucky that day that they were talked about it. I wouldn't have heard about it for weeks, months or years later," he said. "That changed my career."

Even if those discussions in Arizona set Haniger on an upward trajectory, the Diamondbacks never saw the fruits. Still, Lovullo doesn't dwell on what-ifs. He thinks it's still too early to fully analyze the results of the trade, but he also likes how it's played out so far.

"I just know that we have two really talented players in our system here in (Walker) and Ketel with tremendous upside," Lovullo said. "That was a trade I know that (General Manager) Mike Hazen made for a short- and long-term situation that we were going to be in. ... I think both teams have gotten their needs filled and it’s yet to be determined how it’s going to turn out."

Speaking of Walker

One hiccup in evaluating the trade is Walker's injury. Walker tore his ulnar collateral ligament in April, abruptly ending his season.

"You know, I just walked by Taijuan right now," Lovullo said. "He was in the weight room and he was conditioning, so still has not initiated any type of baseball activity, but is in great shape and great spirits and feeling very, very good."

Walker underwent Tommy John surgery on April 25. Lovullo doesn't know when he'll start to throw, but said they are expecting it will be 12-13 months from the surgery before Walker gets back on the diamond.

"We definitely miss him," Lovullo said. "We were going to count on him in a lot of different ways this year. He had grown up a little bit last year, and we were looking for him to show us the next step. Unfortunately, we’re going to have to wait until 2019 to see that."

Short hops

Olympic gold medalist Michael Phelps threw out the ceremonial first pitch on Saturday. Phelps was representing his own foundation as a part of as part of Drowning Impact Awareness Month.

Right-handed pitcher Shelby Miller is throwing out to 100 feet, but there is still no timetable for his return.

Center fielder Jarrod Dyson had Saturday off as a recovery day. Lovullo is aiming to get him on the bases early next week, but "nothing is imminent."